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Parent alleges band teacher has created unsafe classroom environment; asks Estes Park board to act
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Summary
At the April 20 meeting a parent, Natalie Workman, told the Estes Park board that the band teacher has made students feel "uncomfortable and unsafe" and said prior reports produced no change. The board did not take immediate formal action during the meeting.
During the public-participation portion of the Estes Park School District R-3 board meeting, parent and commenter Natalie Workman addressed the board about the band program, saying multiple students have felt anxious and unable to raise concerns.
"The band teacher has made many of us feel uncomfortable and unsafe in a place where we are supposed to feel supported," Workman said, adding that previously reported concerns have not resulted in meaningful change. "When the teacher's behavior continues even after concerns have been raised, it shows a lack of accountability."
Workman asked the board for "real action, not just conversations, not just warnings," and said students deserve to feel safe in every classroom. She described students as "anxious, stressed, and even afraid to speak up" and said the situation violates the expectations set out in the student handbook.
The chair thanked Workman for speaking. There was no recorded formal response from the board that evening nor an immediate motion to investigate or to direct staff to follow up on the record; the meeting moved on to scheduled agenda items. The district did not provide a direct rebuttal or defense from the band teacher in the meeting transcript.
Because the comment raises an allegation about staff conduct, it remains an unresolved personnel concern on the public record. The board may address it in a future meeting or through staff processes not detailed in the meeting minutes.
